Sitting in the space helps determine the correct hanging height, even if the dining room table is not yet in place or needed to be moved to make room for the electrician's ladder.

Q. :

What is the correct mounting height for a fixture over a dining room table?

A. :

First off, I’ll provide a guideline: The bottom of the fixture should be 32 to 36 inches above the tabletop. Now that I’ve told you that rule, I’m also going to tell you to disregard it. I really feel that every situation is different. It depends on the size of the table, the diameter and height of the fixture, and the height of the ceiling. All of these are factors in determining what should be the correct mounting height.

Most lighting manufacturers offer additional cord, chain or stem lengths to provide some give-and-take in the overall length of the fixture. I like to have my client sit down in a dining chair while the electrician is there so that we can look at various heights. I stand at the entry of the dining room to see how the fixture relates to the volume the space.

Also, when picking a fixture (if you can’t borrow an actual sample), consider cutting out a cardboard template that is the height and diameter of the fixture to give a good idea of how it might look in the space before making a final decision. You may find that two medium fixtures look better than one large fixture, especially with a rectangular table.

Randall Whitehead, IALD

Randall Whitehead, IALD, is a professional lighting designer and author. His books include "Residential Lighting, A Practical Guide." Whitehead has worked on projects worldwide, appeared on the Discovery Channel, HGTV and CNN, and he is regular guest on Martha Stewart Living Radio. Visit his website www.randallwhitehead.com for more information on books, upcoming seminars and the latest lighting trends.

This is perfect info....at first I thought uh oh...I never follow a rule about the chandelier height! Whew! I tend to hang a lot of them higher, rather than lower though I confess. I just love to see the fixture and the light dangling prettily in the air...,